Ward County, TX — January 23, 2025, Chris Simms was injured in a truck accident at approximately 12:15 a.m. along Interstate Highway 20.

According to authorities, 47-year-old Chris Simms was traveling in a northwest bound Chevrolet Suburban on I.H. 20 in the vicinity west of S.H. 464 when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision took place between the rear-end of a Freightliner 18-wheeler and the front-end of the Suburban. Simms reportedly suffered serious injuries as a result of the wreck. No other injuries have been reported. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After 30 years of handling commercial vehicle crash cases, I can say with confidence that when a passenger vehicle strikes the rear of an 18-wheeler, especially at night, the situation isn’t always as clear-cut as it may seem. People tend to assume the rear vehicle is at fault, but that ignores a crucial question: Was the truck clearly visible and properly positioned on the road? In more than a few of the cases I’ve worked, the answer to that question changed the entire outcome.

This crash happened just after midnight—a time when visibility is at its lowest, and fatigue is more likely to affect both drivers. If the 18-wheeler was traveling slowly, had inadequate or non-functioning lights, or was partially in a travel lane due to a breakdown, the chances that a following driver could react in time are slim. I’ve seen trucks with faded reflective tape, dim taillights, or no emergency lighting at all get rear-ended because the driver behind them simply couldn’t tell what they were approaching until it was too late.

That brings up the question of the truck’s condition. Were its taillights working? Was the reflective tape intact and effective? Was the trailer loaded in a way that didn’t obstruct the lighting or obscure its outline? These may sound like small details, but they matter enormously when a passenger vehicle is approaching at highway speed in the dark.

And if the truck was stopped or moving slowly because of a mechanical issue, then the carrier behind it needs to be part of the conversation. Was the truck properly maintained? Was the driver trained to handle roadside emergencies, including pulling off the highway safely and using warning devices? I’ve seen crashes like this caused by companies sending out trucks that were overdue for brake service, lighting repair, or even basic inspections—all of which can play a direct role in visibility-related crashes.

Getting to the bottom of a crash like this means asking the right questions and refusing to stop at surface-level explanations. Serious wrecks deserve serious investigation, not assumptions. Understanding whether the truck was visible, well-maintained, and properly operated is key to figuring out what might have happened. Getting clear answers to these questions is the least that can be done to help those affected find the clarity and closure they deserve.